Bosch Home Appliances Supports U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA--(Marketwire - Sep 23, 2011) - Helping to showcase that beautiful homes can be constructed using minimal resources without sacrificing performance or design, Bosch home appliances proudly joins its sister companies of The Bosch Group, including Bosch Power Tools, Solar Energy and Thermotechnology, in donating a variety of energy-efficient and sustainable products to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011.

Taking place in Washington, D.C. from Sept. 23 through Oct. 2, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 is a competition between 19 college teams that design, build and operate solar-powered homes that are cost effective, energy-efficient and attractive.

"Efficiency and sustainability are at the core of Bosch home appliances and we are thrilled to support the ingenuity, designs and efforts of these teams as they demonstrate how much is possible using efficient yet attractive designs," said Micaela Shaw, Brand Manager for Bosch home appliances. "As the only U.S. manufacturer with entire product lines of ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers, washers and refrigerators, including the most efficient dishwasher in North America, the Bosch 800 Plus, we are proud to support this important event."

This international, award-winning program will honor the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency. Products such as Bosch's Induction Cooktop with SteelTouch™ Control and AutoChef® is ideal for the Decathlon as it heats food more than 50 percent faster than conventional cooktops and reduces energy consumption by up to 60 percent as compared to gas cooktops.

"We are excited to see how these 12 teams utilize Bosch's various products and innovations in the construction of their ideal solar homes. It is our hope that this competition highlights just how affordable, stylish and practical it is to have both a beautiful and efficient home," said Shaw.

Teams have been assembled from near and far, ranging from the University of Wellington in New Zealand to the California Institute of Technology, to partner with Decathlon sponsors to educate the public about the cost-saving opportunities of using efficient home appliances and clean-energy products to ensure that homes combining energy-efficient construction and appliances with renewable energy systems are available today.

For more information about Bosch, visit www.bosch-home.com/us, like Bosch at Facebook.com/BoschAppliances or connect on Twitter @BoschAppliances.